I really enjoyed Nonfiction November the last two years, and in each of those years, I read thirteen nonfiction books. Each year, I was disappointed with the number and quality of books especially when I'd read all the other reviews. I'd see nonfiction books each year that I wanted to read, but I never seemed to get around to them. This year, I decided would be my year of nonfiction books (and Canadian authors and mysteries.) And read them I did! So far, I've read 53 nonfiction books, 24 of them were audiobooks, and some of them were crazy good.
What was your favorite nonfiction read of the year?
I don't think I can pick one favourite. Obviously the ones I recommended (in the question below) were excellent reads. I read many, many fabulous nonfiction books this year and some of the very best were:
From 2005 when the whole 'Pluto is no longer a planet' debacle hit. Actually not a debacle, and this is the story, with lots of photos and science, from Tyson
Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them - Al Franken
Another old one, but history repeats itself. If you've been forgetting how unsettled things were with George W Bush, this will remind you. I must read another Franken!
Argo - Antonio Mendez
American historical story of getting some American hostages out of Iran in 1980.
March Book 3 - John Lewis
Again, this was timely like the Franken, but the civil rights fight from the 60s done in graphic novel form was almost overwhelming. All three books need to be read together.
Collection of essays of a girl who changed her life by moving to rural NS. This was done very well.
Susanna Moodie; Roughing it in the Bush - Carol Shields and Patrick Crowe
A Carol Shields written graphic novel based on a classic Canadian historical settler's book? Yes please.
The graphic novel on Susannah Moodie sent me to this beautiful book with more detail and background. Did I really never take any history courses in university?
The Dorito Effect: The Surprising New Truth About Food and Flavour - Mark Schatzker
This is the food book I've been waiting for, discussing the science about the flavours that have been invented and their effect on our eating habits.
Tiny, Beautiful Things - Cheryl Strayed
An advice book? Only Cheryl Strayed could pull this off, written when she was Sugar, and on-line columnist.
There were other books that could be on this list, but I'll highlight them later in the month in different prompts.
What nonfiction book have you recommended the most?
I passed around the science department at school, because we are all lab girls. This was such a well-written memoir, with lots of plant science if you are into that sort of thing.
Canada by Mike Myers
The perfect book for people my age to help celebrate Canada150.
I Contain Multitudes:The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life by Ed Yong
Another book I recommended to all my science pals, all about the creepy crawlies we can't see. Some are very good, some are very bad, and learning which is which and how they interact is a lot more interesting than you might think. (I've never been an anti-bacterial advocate, and I certainly felt justified after reading this book) This was very well narrated.
What is one topic or type of nonfiction you haven’t read enough of yet?
If I was to pick a type of book I haven't read enough of it would be historical. I also don't read a lot newly released nonfiction books.
What are you hoping to get out of participating in Nonfiction November?
I think the fact that I read so many nonfiction books this year is a testament to what I got out of last year's Nonfiction November. I also like getting rave recommendations for good non-fictions from all the other participants. It helps to get the pre-read and approved titles from all you wonderful book bloggers.
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